Coin-actuated mechanism.



1 Patented Oct. 1,' l 90l.

F. BRUNORL colNf- AcTuATED MEGHANISM.

(Ap'blicabion meaNoy. 1, 1900.)

(N0 Nudel.)

-r s Nonms mms cov, www

N0. 683,678. Patentedfct.' l, l90l. F. BRNRI.

COIN ACTUATED MECHANISM.

(Application led Nov. 1, 1900.) (No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

@n vente@ s2/@Humano 11 xt) aozmen a YN: norms Pfrzks oo. mamumo., wAsnmm-on D c UNITED STATES" PATENT QEEICE;

FRANK BRoNoRI, or BENNINGTON, VERMONT;

ColN-AoTuATi-:D' MEcHANisivl.

srcmrcAfrfoN forming part of Letters reite' N. cedere, aerea october i, 1901'. Application filed November 1, 1.900. Serial No. 35,150. (No model.)

T0 nLZZ 10.11.0171, t may concern:

Be itknown that I, FRANK BRoNoRI, a citi-l zen of the United States, residing at Bennington, in the county of Bennington and State of Vermont, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Coin-Actuated Mechanism; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to the class of ap.

paratus commonly designated as slot-machines, and embodyinga number of dierent mechanisms connected with a prime motor actuated by the deposition of a coin of determinate value into a slot.

The primary object of this invention is to simplify the construction and materially reduce the cost of manufacture and maintenance and enable the working parts to be compactly arranged. These ends are attained in a great measure by the direct mounting of the parts-such as the vending mechanism, the musicecylinder, and the view belt or supportAupon the arbors or shafts of the gear elements of the train of gearing.

The invention also aims to prevent operating the machine by means other than the predetermined coin and to guard against the not uncommon practice of dropping a dummy, slug, or kindred article and demanding of the proprietor or person exhibiting the machine an amount equal to the value of the coin required to actuate the machine on the plea that the machine failed to work.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent as the invention is comprehended, and for a full description thereof and also to acquire a knowledge of the details of construction of the means for effecting the result reference is to be had to the following descriptiona and drawings hereto attached.

' While the essential and characteristic features of the invention are necessarily susceptible of modification, still the preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective View of the vitals of a slot-machine 4embodying the invention, the dotted-lines showing the outline of the cabinet. Fig. 2 is a detail View of the coincontrolled mechanism and the means actuated by the coin to permit the starting of the operating mechanism. Fig. 3 is a View of the operating parts shown in Fig. 2, the coinchute and cabinet being removed. Fig. 4 is ade tail view of the stereoscope and upper por; tion of the view or picture mechanism, showing the illuminator, the electric circuit, and the circuit-closing means. Fig. 5 is a detail perspective View of the upper portion of the coin-chute.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the .following description and indicated in all the views of the drawings by the same reference characters. Y

The power-actuated shaft 1 is provided with a gear-wheel 2 and a vending mechanism 3 of any desired type, and this shaft is the primary means from which motion is imparted to the train of gearing for actuating the operating parts of the machine. Any motive power may be applied to the shaft l to drive the same, and for conveniencea weight 2 is shown and a cord 3, attachedto the weight 2, is adapted to Wind around the said shaft, the Winding being eected by means of a crank or key in the Well-known manner. A pinion or comparatively small gear-wheel 4 is in mesh with the gear-wheel 2 and is secured' to a shaft 5, paralleling the shaft 1, and

upon which the pin-cylinder 6 of a music mechanism'is secured, so as to rotate there- With,the pins of the cylinder cooperating with the teeth of a cone 7 in the usual way. A gear-wheel 8 is secured to the shaft 5, so as to turn therewith, and is in meshing relation with a gear-Wheel 9, of smaller diameter, secured to an end portion of a shaft 10, parallel with the shafts 1 and 5. A pin 11 projects laterally from a side of the gear-Wheel 9 and coperates with a spur-wheel12, secured'to a journal of the rotary support 13 of the view or picture mechanism. A gear-wheel14 is secured to the shaft 10 and is in mesh with a pinion 15, secured to the fan-shaft 16 in parallelism with the shafts l, 5, and 10. The train of gearing has its speed-regulated by means of the fan 17 in the well-known manner, and the parts to be driven are mounted directly upon the shafts or axes of the vari- IOO ons gear elements. Hence com pactness is sejcured and the machine can be run with the expenditure of a minimum amount of force.

The vendingmechanism 3 consists of a drum surrounded by compartments which receive the packages or articles to' be delivered, a chute 18 directing the packages into an outlet 19, formed in a side of the cabinet, Where they are readily accessible' to the person playf ing the machine. When the last package or article has been delivered, a visual and an audible signal are operated to Warn the player that the machine is empty. rPhe audiblesignal consists of a gong 20l and a hammer 21, mounted upon a lever 22, having one end projected in the path of a pin or stop 23, provided at one side ot' a gear-wheel 2. The visu'al signal consists of a placard 24, attached to a stem25,l connected with the lever 22. Vtfheu the vending cylinder or drum is charged with packages or articles to be delivered, the placard 24y is Withdrawn within the cabinet, so as not to be observed, and as soon as the last package or article is delivered the` pin 23 strikes' the, lever 22 and simultaneously sounds the gong and throws the placard 24 into position to be readily seen by the player, so to apprise the person ot' the fact that the machine is empty;

The motive power is held in restraint by a detent mechanism which is released upon the deposition of a coin o f determinate value into thefcolilislot 26. This detent mechanism consists of a pin or stop 27 projected from a side of the gear-Wheel 8, and a spring-actuated Die., reti, er belt 28,1.ieruie11y extending in the, path vthereof and mounted for reciprocating movement in a tube or guider29. The. spring 30, means of whichl the pin orrod 28 is held projected, is located within the tube or guide 29, and is enceedingly light and of sufficient Strength te held. the pie preieeted in the nath of the stop27 and to be compressed by means, of the coinstriking the pan 3l, attached to the said'rod 28. The coin-tube 32 is in communication at its upper end 'Withthe coin-slot 26, and its lower end terminates above the pan, 3l, sc ,as to deliver the coin thereon. The up-` per portion ot the coin-tube is deflected and forned with an opening 33 to prevent a Wire being directed through the tube to actuate. the pan 3l. The side of the tube adjacent the cabinet is cut away with the exception. of narrow4 Bauges 34, which engage With oppositeedges of the coin and support the same during its passage tothe'pan 3l. An article slightly smaller than the diameter of the prescribedcoin will not follow the tube 32, but will dropA directly therefrom and prevent operationI of the machine, f

To'prevent imposition being practiced upon thle'proprietor or owner of the machine yby parties dropping Worthless articles into the machine and commanding. the return ofa coin of the value required for voperating the' machine, the following instrumentalities. are provided and consist of levers or arms 35 and 36'-, located the one above the other and pivoted between their ends, said arms having pans 37 and 38 at their ends adjacent to the proximal side of the cabinet. Stops 39 and 40 limit the upward movement of the pans 37 and 38,and the arms 35 and 36 are Weighted, so as normally to hold the pans 37 and 38 in the given position. An observation-opening 4l is provided in the side of the' cabinet betWeen the stops 39 and 40, and anything con# tained in the pan 38 is at all times visible through the opening 4l, Which is covered by glass or any transparent substance. Levers 42 and 43 are pivoted between their ends and are connected with the levers 35 and 36 by means of rods 44 and 45, so as to cause a simul taneous movement ot the corresponding parts 42 and 3,6 and '.43 and 35. Stops 46. and 47 project laterally from the gear-Wheel 8 and are positioned so as to alternately actuate the levers 42 and 43. These stops or tappets 46 and 47 are locatedat different distances from the axisv of the gear-Wheel 8, according to the relative position of the ends of they levers 42 and 43, contiguous to said gear-wheel. Vhen the machine is at rest, the coin last operating the machine is located in the pan 38 in position to be easily seen through the observation-opening4l, and upon thev deposition of auothcrcoin into the slot 26 the gear- Wheel Sis released from the de tent er red 28 by menue ef the. nee 3l heilig depressed. As the gear-.wheel 84 revolves,

the stop v46 will strike the lever 42 and cause` e; depifefssieii ef the, eiiteieed et' the nen. 38 and permit the dieeharg-eet the, @ein inte the coin-receptacle 48, and just prior toA the stopping of the machine the trip, 47. vi.1.1.e,et1.1nte the lever 43 and depress the pan 3 7 andv permit the coin received thereon from the pan 3l to drop onto the pan 3,8,l where it will be held until the machine is again operated in the manner stated. Shonldthe ma'chincfail to, operate from any cause, the article drops throughv the SlOt 26and will be retained upon the pan. 37, and ehenldthe Seine be e dernier, slug, or other value1-essA article the same will be erraten@ te the nifepiieter e1' persen. eXf hibitiee the. meehiee uren ieepeetieil, there by preventing the perpetration of fraud byia dishonest person. On the other hand, should the obj ect received upon the, pan 37 be acci-n it will be evident that the cpl-aim; ot the party playing the. machine in the event of thelat'- ter failing to operate is just and that a refund ef the eeiii. Should be mede, thereby preventing loss to the player in the event of the machine failing to respond when aY coin ot determinate value has been properly deresitedi The viewer picturek mechanism consistsof IOO IIO

eil. endless bel-t 49,*eemnesed, preferablaefplatesbearing thedesired pictures tobe exhibited, said plates being transparent. This picture-'belt ris supported at its. upper end upon a dru'm- 13, oftriangular formin crosssection, and at .its lower end upon a corren :spending drum 50, the sides of the drums corresponding to the width or depth of the plates which rest thereagainst when in position to be viewed. The drums 13 and 50 are preferably of skeleton form for the sake of lightness and also to permit the unobstructed passage of light-rays, by means of which the pictures are illuminated and displayed to the best possible advantage. The spur-wheel 12, attached to a journal of the drum 13, consists of three spurs or arms corresponding to the three faces or sides of the drum, and these spurs are positioned so as to insure the proper location of the pictures with reference to the stereoscope when the machine is in operation. The gear-wheel 9, carrying the pin 11, makes one complete revolution before the drum 13 is moved, so as to bring the next picture of the series in position for observation, thereby giving ample time for a careful inspection of the picture before the same is changed. However, should the player desire to observe the picture for a greater length of time than is provided by the movement of the train of gearing a retarding mechanism is provided and consists of a spring-actuated push-bar 51, located so that its inner end can be brought into engagement with a gear element of the train of gearing, which in the present instance is -the gearwheel 9. Under normal conditions the inner end of the push-bar 51 is held away from the gear-wheel 9 by means of the spring 52, and when it is desired to check the movement of the machine pressure is applied to the outer end of the push-bar 1 in such a manner as to bring the inner end into engagement with the gear-wheel 9. I/Vhen the push-bar is released, the operating mechanism will resume4 as to admit of the pictures being seen to the best possible advantage. An illuminator 54 is provided and consists of an electric incandescent light, and in order to light up the pictures the illuminator is located in an electric circuit of which the terminals are located at 55 and 56, the latter being fixed and the former movable and connected with a springactuated rod 57, having a button 58 at its outer end, positioned with reference to the stereoscope 53 so as to be pressed upon the forehead of the observer when viewing the pictures. Normally the electric circuit is open, and a slight pressure upon the button 5S completes the circuit and causes an illumination of the pictures, which are seen through the stereoscope in the ordinary way.

The goods to be vended are placed in the compartments of the drum of the vending mechanism 3, and-the mechanism being properly adjusted a coin of predetermined value being dropped into the slot 26 passes through Simultaneously with the operation of vendition the music mechanism plays an air and the picture mechanism is operated to exhibit views, thereby rendering the playing of the machine attractive and insuring a liberal patronage.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In a machine of the character described, a train of gearing including a power-actuated shaft, a stop applied to a gear element of the train of gearing, a vertically-reciprocating spring-actuated rod projected in the path of the said stop, vertically-aimed guides for the end portions of the rod, a pan connected to the said rod intermediate the guide and movable therewith, and a coin-tube terminating above the pan so as to deliver the coin thereon and effect arelease of the train of gearing, substantially as specified. v

2. In a machine of the type described, a train of gearing including a power-actuated shaft, a coin-actuated detent mechanism to effect a starting of the machine upon the deposition of a coin of denominate value,coin receptacles located the one above the other with an observation-opening opposite the space formed therebetween, and a trip mechanism for each coin-receptacle adapted to be IOO alternately actuated, first to edect a discharge of the coin from the lowermost receptacle and then to cause the coin to drop from the upper receptacle uponthe lower receptacle in position to be seen through the observationopening, substantially as set forth.

3. In a machine of the character described, and in combination with the train of gearing including a power-actuated shaft, and a coincontrolled detent mechanism for eecting a release of the train of gearing, upper and lower coin-receptacles with van observationopening therebetween, levers having independent connection with the respective coinreceptacles, and independent trips applied to an element of the train of gearing andA disposed to actuate the lowermost receptacle and subsequent thereto the uppermost receptacle to permit the coin or object received thereon to drop to the lowermost receptacle opposite to the observation-opening, substantially as set forth.

4. In a machine of the character described, and in combination with a train of gearing including a poweractuated shaft, a stop applied to a gear element of the train of gearing, a spring-actuated rod normally extended in the path of the said stop and provided IIO with a pam, and' a coin-tube arranged to deliver the -eoin upon the said pan, other pans located the one above the other with an olbservation-opening therebetween and adapted to receive a coin from the first-mentioned Coin-pan, levers connected with the last-mentioned pans, and trips applied to a gear element of the. train of gearing and positioned to alternately aetuate" the said pans adjacent tothe observation-opening, substantially as mi and for the purpose set forth. Y

In testimony whereofV I affix my Signature in presence of two Witnesses.

FRANK BRONO-Rl.

W ituesses:

EDMUND F. HOURAN, LESLIE MORSE. 

